Road Cycling - How to Combat the Stench?

I have a few cycling jerseys and running apparel that are polyester that I love, they keep me nice and cool and dry but they can absolutely STINK. It's annoying because the stench doesn't go completely even after I wash some of them. I wonder does anyone have any tricks for keeping these shirts from smelling gross?

A quarter cup of Simple Green in with your regular laundry soap works for my jerseys and running stuff.

A quarter cup of Simple Green in with your regular laundry soap works for my jerseys and running stuff.
If the simple Green leaves any odor it will not improve the smell, but they will be very clean. You could also try some Orange klean.

Wash mine reg and drip dry,no smell.Try fabreeze.

Wash mine reg and drip dry,no smell.Try fabreeze.


You might have hit on something there with the drip dry. High heat in a dryer could make any clothing item made with synthetic fabrics smell bad.

You might have hit on something there with the drip dry. High heat in a dryer could make any clothing item made with synthetic fabrics smell bad.

I can attest to that. I had two different types of wicking shirts that I wore when I umpired. One had to be drip dried and the other could be put in the dryer. The one that drip dried never held the stench, but the other one - well, suffice to say my wife made me take it off outside!

Learned my lesson! Fabreze will take out the stench as will something like OxyClean.

A little vinegar in the wash will work as well.

This was covered a while back. You may find a lot of stuff with a search. I suggested soaking in hydrogen peroxid. I do this foe my gloves ang strap on helmet.

Joe

None of my cycling clothes goes into the dryer. Always drip dry..Preferably in an airy place.
Do not accomodate my wife. She does not want the general laundry washed with cycling clothes. Says it smells. I disagree.
But I have been noticing one exception is the cycling 'unde shirt.' Not super gross, but not normal either. Why an under shirt? I will try Frebreze..Little afraid of soaps like OxiClean?
Is that good on technical fabrics..
Gore Tex items get a special treatment. Smell or not.They get washed in Woolite.Sure hope that works,because I will not use regular soaps...They bind up the pores of gore tex.
I always hope drying on the line, out in the sun; can't beat the ability of ultra violet to kill bacteria.

Or you could start wearing screen printed T-shirts. :D

I aways drip dry and if possible in the sun because the sun will kill bacteria. Or you could use wool and be done with it! Plastic clothes are aways going to have some sort of issue of smell associated with them, either during a ride or after, with wool you can go for several rides without even washing (I wash anyway) without smell.

I aways drip dry and if possible in the sun because the sun will kill bacteria. Or you could use wool and be done with it! Plastic clothes are aways going to have some sort of issue of smell associated with them, either during a ride or after, with wool you can go for several rides without even washing (I wash anyway) without smell.


Agreed. I'm a huge fan of smartwool and icebreaker merino wool stuff. The problem is, as with any natural fiber, they tend to take longer to dry. I try and use a lot of the same stuff for mountain activities and biking(bibshorts notwithstanding!) and I find that the wools just don't dry overnight in the tent. :(

I aways drip dry and if possible in the sun because the sun will kill bacteria. Or you could use wool and be done with it! Plastic clothes are aways going to have some sort of issue of smell associated with them, either during a ride or after, with wool you can go for several rides without even washing (I wash anyway) without smell.
I'm not really up on this but i dont think sun kills bacteria.

Ride faster, then the stink will always be behind you. :p

I'm not really up on this but i dont think sun kills bacteria.

Ultraviolet light kills bacteria.

Try washing them properly when you get home rather than leaving them to moulder in the bin for a week , and don´t tumble dry - spin yes .
more saddle sores caused by sloppy personal hygene than anything else , SO WASH YOUR DAMN CLOTHES .

I used a half cup of vinegar in the wash. If you combine that with the Liquid Laundry OxyClean in the washer, then hang to dry and spray the Fabreeze on the clothes right when you hang them, I believe that should solve your problem... I hope.

I don't mean to sound all mean and callous, but do you just sweat a lot and emit an odor? Have you thought about what you could do for yourself to prevent a bad odor that is so difficult to get out? I only say this because my sister has a very strong, pungent BO that smells like musk. I KNOW she's not aware of it, and I've stayed at her house enough times to see that she is big on showers and stuff, uses deoderant, and she uses a very nice, expensive perfume, as well as a body wash. But she still emits this smell. Another sister of mine emits the same smell, so I knew there had to be something more to it than just having a problem with getting her clothes clean. I also know she couldn't smell the musk that I smelled- she was really surprised when I told her about it.

Koffee

I would say that the key is to wash them immediatly. I hand wash in the sink after each ride. If you let them sit in the wasing basket they will go funky.

I drafted behind a guy last Sat. OMG! :eek: It was that nasty sour towel smell. I was starting to think that getting dropped wouldn't be so bad after all. It was definately motivation to get up and pull.

:roflmao:

This is turning into a 'what's wrong with you you stinky freak BeardedMonk' post.. NNOOOOOOOOO I've tried to hide it for so long, I knew I shouldn't have said anything!!! ;)

Actually to address your questions, I'm a pretty clean dude. I don't have any problems whatsoever with odor or anything, I'm sure of it. Whenever I wear cotton stuff it never smells at all, they can be drenched with sweat and smell fine. I'm 100% sure it's the polypro shirts I was wearing, I have a few dri-fit shirts from Nike that I've been wearing for about 3 years and my problem just seemed to be that they held odor a little bit even after washing, and they can get hella stinky when I'm working hard. However, the ends manufacturers such as Mountain Hardwear and Marmot have gone to to try and eliminate the odor problems associated with these materials tells me that I'm not the only one. I talked to a few friends who use these shirts and have this problem and none of them could give me any solutions, they said they just put up with it so I thought I'd post it and see what you guys could suggest. Thanks for the great input! I think I'll go with the febreeze option and see how it works. If not I'll try the vinegar, and if not... err.. I'll throw the damn things out!

Signed,

The Stinky BeardedMonk

Finally a topic I know sumptin about!
I powerwash hog buildings 18 times a year, the only thing I have found to remove vile odors is orange citris handcleaner, without the grit.
I end up showering with it to get de-stunk, especilily my hair, 1/4 cup in the washer for my clothes and line drying mean my overall don't stink either.
Doesn't hurt I'm cheap and won't use the dryer more than 6 times a year.
In winter I use a small fan to stirr the air and things dry fast in the basement.
BTW, I buy the stuff a gallon at a time, HATE to run out!

Hand wash with woolite, hang em to dry, and you'll have a lovely fresh schmellin set of fine and dandy riding duds.
Oh, I also use one of those rock/crystal deoderant thing, it kills the bacteria supposedly, and it seems to work.

My wife tells me that you should add a can or cup of cola (coke or store brand) to the wash--MAGIC! and CHEAP!

I have one word for you.

WOOL

Actually, the odor probably is not you. I've used Patagonia and Timberland wicking base layers, and they have left a strong odor, even after washing twice. Went to my local sports shop where I purchased the shirts, and was told that some companies use materials that are prone to hold odor; that these materials, while they wick very well, do hold the smell as well. I tried a very cheap target brand wicking shirt--problem solved. It's probably not you.

Cheers,

Urbanmonk

Hey Thylacine,

So you found a new use for sheep???

Hey Thylacine,

So you found a new use for sheep???

I don't about you, but when I ride I feel kinda sheepish!
:D

9 out of 10 people surveyed said sheep smell better than lycra clad Americans.

Who am I to argue with such strong evidence? *evil laugh*

All temperature cheer and a can of coke. pour the coke in on was cycle with the cheer and use a liquid rinse like downy or snuggle..

9 out of 10 people surveyed said sheep smell better than lycra clad Americans.

I would have to concur after that dude I got behind last week.

I used to live in New Zealand, so I couldn't resist with the sheep joke.

I would have to concur after that dude I got behind last week.

I used to live in New Zealand, so I couldn't resist with the sheep joke.
Are you saying our sheep stink!!!!! I like them best with the smell of mint sauce :roflmao:

For musty 'sour towel' smells, you can buy a product from bio-o-kleen that will help.

they also make 'bacout' which is an enzyme additive.

www.drugstore.com carries it

or you can learn more or buy it direct from http://www.bi-o-kleen.com/laundry.htm

Either Oxy Clean or vinegar, for god's sake do not use Simple Green, the odor will be even worse.

My jerseys don't stink, but I use a deodrant before I ride and wash my jersey's after every ride.

One of my jerseys has a statement on the tag that says that the wicking material has a tendency to hold odors. I wash mine in regular detergent and hang dry with no odor problems. My riding shorts washing instructions say not to hang in the sun as it damages the material. I hang mine on some hooks that are on the light of the ceiling fan in the den, they dry really fast there with the fan on. My wife doesn't like the drying situation so I try to do it when she is not around. :)

So far I've used simple green (great!) and organic 7th generation brand detergent, both work great. You have to rub and scrub you know, I let the stuff soak for a while too.

First of all, for all you guys who say you don't stink or smell bad, refer to Koffee's post. Her sister smells like elephant and doesn't know. Word to the wise.
Now, not that I stink or anything, but a friend of mine soaks the offending garments between washes in the utility sink with a little tide or whatever detergent is handy. Change the water and detergent daily and then actually wash 'em sooner or later. Works like a charm and my clothes-er, um, I mean my friend's clothes smell springtime fresh.

I used a half cup of vinegar in the wash. If you combine that with the Liquid Laundry OxyClean in the washer, then hang to dry and spray the Fabreeze on the clothes right when you hang them, I believe that should solve your problem... I hope.

I don't mean to sound all mean and callous, but do you just sweat a lot and emit an odor? Have you thought about what you could do for yourself to prevent a bad odor that is so difficult to get out? I only say this because my sister has a very strong, pungent BO that smells like musk. I KNOW she's not aware of it, and I've stayed at her house enough times to see that she is big on showers and stuff, uses deoderant, and she uses a very nice, expensive perfume, as well as a body wash. But she still emits this smell. Another sister of mine emits the same smell, so I knew there had to be something more to it than just having a problem with getting her clothes clean. I also know she couldn't smell the musk that I smelled- she was really surprised when I told her about it.

Koffee


Sorry have to throw this out-Koffee have either of your sisters told you the same. Wondering if this is genetic in your family? Again Sorry but at 11:23pm it one of those thought that hit my wee little head HEHEHe.

One thing I have noticed from time to time is how diet can affect BO smells.

Sorry have to throw this out-Koffee have either of your sisters told you the same. Wondering if this is genetic in your family? Again Sorry but at 11:23pm it one of those thought that hit my wee little head HEHEHe.

One thing I have noticed from time to time is how diet can affect BO smells.


CPcyclist, you beat me to it, I had exactly the same thought. You know, funny thing, I don't smell either! No really, I don't! Actually, my nose runs and my feet smell...

Just read that 20 Mule Team Borax will eliminate odors in polypro or polyester.

Anyone try this?

Reurn of the Living Thread?

Just read that 20 Mule Team Borax will eliminate odors in polypro or polyester.

Anyone try this?
Nice dredge man.

If the clothing has already been abused by lack of quick washes after every ride, then I would try soaking in any strong detergent or combination. The soaking should be for a few hours. Then rinse out and put in washer in a cold cycle. Dry in the sun only as long as it takes to dry.

Just read that 20 Mule Team Borax will eliminate odors in polypro or polyester.

Anyone try this?
Yes, and it works.

Try taking more showers?

Reurn of the Living Thread?


Yeah, no kidding! Usually a thread this old won't come back from the dead until at least after the first of the year!:D Everyone has to get tired of the indoor trainer, Spinervals, and CTS videos and then the January/February edition of Bicycling has to hit news stands. After that, its open season on the archives. You can't start this silliness too early, its counterproductive.



Seriously, though, drip dry.

Smear Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter on your pits, pre-ride?

Cat urine also masks most smells - with a smell of its own.

Yeah, no kidding! Usually a thread this old won't come back from the dead until at least after the first of the year!:D Everyone has to get tired of the indoor trainer, Spinervals, and CTS videos and then the January/February edition of Bicycling has to hit news stands. After that, its open season on the archives. You can't start this silliness too early, its counterproductive.



Seriously, though, drip dry.

Check to see who posts regularly now compared with who posted in this thread. And that Guest signed Koffee pops up, too :eek: !

How about just eating a lot of garlic? Then you won't notice the BO smells...

Yeah, I've found that OxyClean does wonders. Takes all the grease off my overalls & garage-clothes...

Ultraviolet light kills bacteria.

The sun emits ultraviolet light (among other frequencies). Ergo, sunlight kills bacteria.

Q.E.D.